In August 2013, following eight months of developing the system, we launched the Better Cotton Tracer (BCT). The BCT is a system used by traders, spinners and retailers to record purchases and sales of Better Cotton. It tracks the movement of Better Cotton volumes as it moves up the supply chain through a centralised system of entering Better Cotton Claim Units (BCCU’s) into a central database. In simple terms, the system checks volumes in and out in every single step of the supply chain.

Training took place at the annual Supply Chain Events in Turkey, Pakistan, India and China. We started to see Better Cotton move through the system in September 2013, and by December 2013, we saw the first activity on the BCT from our Retailer and Brand members.

“It is exciting for us to follow the demand for Better Cotton throughout our supply chain using the Better Cotton Tracer as members declare their purchases and sales of Better Cotton-related products over the new system. It provides us with great insight about the movement of Better Cotton at a global level” says Kerem Saral (BCI Supply Chain Manager).